Belt splice and method of making the same



De@ 9, 1941.v VT, P, KNQEDLER zaal-1,604

BELT SPLICE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed April 10, 1959 1 k'f///////////1///////////////// 1. 5` \x\\\\\\\\\\\-\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\vif za fr l?" i INVNTOR.

BY neva/aref poen/(ef,

Patented Dec. 9, 119,41

BELT SPLICE AND METHOD `GIF MAKING THE SAME Theodore P. Knoedler,Columbus, Ind., assignor to Reeves Pulley Company, Columbus, Ind., acorporation of Indiana Application April 10, 1939, Serial N0.'267,197

4 Claims. (Cl. 24--31) The present invention relates to a belt spliceand a method of making the same. It has particular applicability tobelts of the type used in Reeves variable speed transmissions whichconsist of a strip of fabric or a series of parallel, longitudinallyextending strands encased in a cover, and which are provided withtransverse stilfener blocks. These belts are subjected to heavy duty,and the provision of a splice which shall be strong and solid and whichshall still permit ready ilexing of the belt about relativelysmall-diameter pulleys has always been a serious problem in thecommercial art.

The primary object of the present invention, then, is to provide a novelsplice for a belt of the above-identified character, having the abovespecified and other desirable characteristics.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention maybe embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawing,attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawing isillustrative only, and that change may be made in the specificconstruction illustrated and described, so long as the scope of theappended claims is not violated.

Fig. l is a fragmentary view of a belt of the character to which thepresent invention pertains, a ap of cover being stripped away and turnedback;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through a completed splice prepared inaccordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a section through belt ends prepared for a splice, fabricbeing used as the belt base; and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and showing a different arrangementof the fabric ends.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, it will be seen that I haveillustrated a portion of a belt indicated generally by the referencenumeral I and consisting of a plurality of parallel, longitudinallyextending strands II which may be cord of any desired characteristics,encased in a cover I2 which may preferably be rubber-impregnated cloth.In preparing this splice in accordance with the present invention, thecover is stripped back as at I3 to expose the extremities of the strandsat each end of the belt, and thereafter the extremities of such strandsare displaced from the general plane of the belt, in any desired manner.In Fig. 2, for instance, I have shown the strand extremity I4 rolledback upon its own upper surface, and have shown the next adjacent strandextremity I5 rolled back upon its own lower surface. Thereby,prctrusions beyond `v`tremities of alternate strands in oppositedirections from the plane ofthe belt, I do not believe that that isessential to the accomplishment of at least some of the objects of thepresent in vention.- Essentially, certain of the extremities of thestrands at each end of the belt are displaced from the plane of the beltto form protrusions beyond the plane of the belt.

After the strand ends have been suitably displaced, the cover flap I3may be folded back over the displaced extremities; and thereafter ablock I6 of rubber or the like is vulcanized onto the belt end,embedding in itself the displaced strand extremities. Where, as in theillustrated embodiment, the alternate strand extremities are displacedin opposite directions from the plane of the belt, the block I6 willproject oppositely beyond the plane of the belt, certain of the strandextremities being embedded in one projecting portion of the block andthe other displaced strand extremities being embedded in the oppositelyprojecting portion of the block.

The opposite end of the belt is similarly treated, the displaced strandends being embedded in a similar block I'I of vulcanized rubber, or thelike; and preferably the two blocks I6 and I'I will be allochiral.

A block of wood or similar suitable material I 8, similar in externalsize and shape to the transverse stiffener blocks 25 applied atintervals to the outer surface of the belt, is formed with a socket orcavity I 9 shaped to receive the portions of the blocks I6 and I'Iprojecting from the outer surface of the belt; and a cooperating block20, similar to the transverse stiffener blocks 26 applied at intervalsto the inner surface of the belt, is formed with a socket or cavity 2|shaped to receive the portions of the blocks I6 and II which projectfrom the inner surface of the belt ends.

'A bolt 22, having a rivet head 23, is now passed through the blocks 2liand I9, the head 23 seating against the inner surface of the block 2B;and a nut 24 is applied to the projecting end of the bolt 22, seatingagainst the outer surface of the block I8. Preferably, a plurality ofthe bolts 22 and nuts 24 will be used to clamp the blocks I8 and 20 tothe opposite surfaces of the belt, the sockets I9 and 2l embracing theprojecting portions of the blocks I6 and II to hold the same together.

I have found that the structure disclosed and each consisting of aplurality of parallel strands; Y'

the free extremities of certain of the strands of each belt end beingrolled back uponktliemselves v15 to form protrusions beyond planeof thebel-t in one direction and the free extremities of others of the strandsof each belt end .beingrolled back upon themselves to form protrusionsbeyond the plane of the belt in the opposite direction; means holdingvthe strand extremities in theirrrolled-up condition', l and clampingmeans engaging the holding means of both belt 'ends and preventingrelative movement between the holding means of the respective beltends'.`

2.*VIn a belt having a continuous Vbase` and a cover, a reinforced beltfend comprising a portion of an end of saidVV base rolled` back uponitself to forinva protrusion in one direction beyond said' cover,another portion of said end of said base rolled back upon itself to forma protrusion in the opposite direction beyond said cover, and a block ofrubber or like material fused to said cover, embedding both of saidrolled-back portions, and projecting oppositely beyond said cover.

3. In a belt having a b-ase, comprising a plurality `of continuousstrands, and a clover, a reiniorced belt end comprising end portions ofcertain of said strands rolled back upon themselves to form protrusionsin one direction beyond said cover, corresponding end portions of othersof said Strands rolled back upon themselves to form protrusions in theopposite direction beyond said cover, andlablockof rubber or likematerial fused to said cover, embedding all of said rolled-backportions, and projecting oppositely beyond said cover.l

(l. Injavbelt having a base, comprising a plurality of continuousstrands, and a cover, a reinforced belt end comprising end portionsofralt'ernate ones of saidstrands rolled back upon thernselves to formprotrusions respectively in opposite directions beyond said cover, and ablock of rub# ber or like material fused to'said cover. eiib'd'-v dingall of said rolled-back portions, and pro'- jecting cppositely beyondsaid cover.

